Patna : The Bihar government has launched a six-month free training programme in 18 traditional handicrafts, as part of a broader effort to preserve the state’s cultural heritage and boost employment among rural artisans.
Run by the Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan under the State Industries Department, the initiative offers instruction in crafts such as Madhubani painting, Tikuli art, Sikki work, stone carving, woodcraft and bamboo product-making. The programme is divided into two stages: a three-month basic course followed by three months of advanced training.
Trainees will receive a monthly stipend ranging from Rs1,000 to Rs2,500. The government has also made provisions for accommodation and food allowances, particularly for participants from outside Patna. Women will be offered hostel facilities, while men will receive Rs1,500 for meals and Rs2,000 for accommodation and sustenance.
Officials say the scheme is designed not just to build skills, but also to open up future employment opportunities. Those who complete the course will be eligible for an artisan card issued by the central government, allowing them to participate in national and international exhibitions. Graduates may also become trainers, start their own enterprises, or engage in craft exports.
Traditional art forms in Bihar, such as the vibrant and globally recognised Madhubani paintings, the lacquer-like sheen of Tikuli art, and the delicate Sikki craft made from dried grass, are increasingly threatened by modernisation. The government hopes this training initiative will help these forms thrive in contemporary markets while empowering local artisans to become self-reliant.
